One in five turned away from their local authority waste disposal centre

• Over 6.2 million UK adults have been turned away from their local authority waste disposal centre in the last 12 months
• Councils are limiting disposal of what many would regard as DIY waste, such as bricks or worktops, which could lead to an increase in fly tipping  
• Over two thirds of local authority waste disposal centres now require pre-booking

Over 6.2 million people have been turned away from their local waste disposal or recycling centre in the last 12 months reveals new research from Churchill home insurance1. People should check the rules for their local authority waste disposal centre before setting out, as 38 per cent were turned away for having too much waste, 27 per cent had visited too many times, while seven per cent didn't have the right identification. 

Table 1: Reasons for being turned away from their local authority household waste or recycling centre

Source: Churchill Insurance 2025

In 2024 the government changed the law so that local authorities in England could no longer charge those disposing of small-scale DIY waste. However, 17 per cent of people claim they have been turned away from their local authority waste disposal or recycling centre when trying to dispose of what they regarded as DIY waste. 

Some councils, such as Lewisham in London, won’t accept what many householders would regard as DIY waste at all, including rubble, kitchen and bathroom units, soil, plasterboard or worktops, whilst Newcastle Under Lyme won’t allow the disposal of plasterboard. By contrast, Mid-Ulster council allows householders to dispose of up to 500kg of DIY waste.  The confusion and charges could be a contributing factor behind the 1.1 million fly tipping incidents that occur each year in the UK2. Many councils only allow two 50 litre bags per visit and then charge for any excess DIY waste, Norfolk County Council charges seven pounds per 100 litres for DIY waste over the limit.

Table 2: Items that people were trying to dispose of when they were turned away

Source: Churchill Insurance 2025

Tyres are another item that are frequently fly tipped. Many councils don’t allow them to be taken to their tips or   charge extra for their disposal. Richmond Upon Thames won’t accept tyres at its tip, whilst Denbighshire charges four pounds per tyre.

The majority (68 per cent) of local authorities now require users to book in advance for using waste disposal or recycling centres. In addition, 264 local authorities require a valid identification for their borough with some such as the London Borough of Bromley charging for those without a valid ID. 

Over 29 million people (55 per cent of UK adults) visited their local authority household waste or recycling centre (‘tip’) in the last 12 months. On average, tip-users visited their local authority household waste or recycling centre 3.5 times a year, although six per cent of people – equivalent to 3,441,000 adults – used their tip more than once a month.

Sarah Khan, Head of Churchill Home Insurance, commented: “Local authority waste and recycling centres are a vital resource for households, particularly those doing DIY and home improvements. In 2024 the government changed to rules in England to stop charging for DIY waste disposal, in an effort to reduce fly tipping. However, this research reveals that what many householders regard as DIY waste and are trying to dispose of at local recycling centres is not permitted or incurs significant additional charges.

“Homeowners planning significant home improvements, should notify their home insurance provider to ensure their property remains adequately covered during and after the work. Major works, such as removing walls, erecting scaffolding, or projects that require sharing spare keys with third parties, can increase security risks. Failing to inform their insurance provider could lead to complications should they need to make a claim.”

Advice for householders with DIY waste to dispose of:

• Double check the rules for your local authority: Check your council’s website, and if your nearest tip doesn’t allow what you want to drop off check other sites in your borough as rules often vary site to site.

• Take smaller loads: If you have a large amount of DIY waste to dispose of don’t try to cram it all into your car in one trip. Take two 50 litre bags at a time and visit more often (but not more than once a week).

• Book online and take ID (driving licence or council tax bill): You may be refused entry or charged if you don’t prebook or have identification, and you may not be allowed into a tip outside the borough that you live in (even if it is the closest one to you).

• Think twice before going in a van or with a trailer: You may be refused entry, or you may be treated as disposing of ‘commercial waste’ and charged.

• Book a skip: If you have larger items to dispose of that are not accepted by your council – which might include kitchen units, bathroom suits, window frames, carpet or plasterboard, you may need to hire a skip or pay for collection.

• Order waste carrier collection: If you book a waste carrier, check that they are registered. If illegally disposed of waste is traced to your household, you may be fined up to £5,000 in a Magistrates Court. You can check Find and check registered waste carriers or call the Environment Agency hotline 03708 506 506.

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Notes to editors:   

1. Churchill Insurance conducted desk research on all UK local authority’s website to identify the rules and charges they impose. In addition, Church commissioned research among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults by Opinium which took place between 20th and 23rd December 2024.

1. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs there were 1.08m reported cases of fly tipping in England in 2022/23. 60 per cent of incidents involved household waste and the most common amounts tipped were ‘a small van load’ or a car boot or less’: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england/local-authority-fly-tipping-enforcement-league-tables-for-england-202122. Stats for Scotland  https://www.gov.scot/publications/review-enforcement-litter-flytipping-offences-final-report/pages/7/ and Wales https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Environment-and-Countryside/Fly-tipping/recordedflytippingincidents-by-landtype  

For further information please contact: 

Unni Henry 

PR Manager   

Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk 

Churchill 

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line. Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. UK Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.   Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc. Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com.